NEWSLETTER

2015-2016

NAGAR is a not for profit organization established in 2000, born out of the passion of several ordinary citizens with a goal to improve life in the city of Mumbai. It works in the areas of preservation of public open spaces, solid waste management, improvement in air quality, preservation of beaches, mangroves, built & natural heritage features, efficient road space management, water conservation and better policing. Its creedhas been strong and consistent advocacy with the Government and its agencies for better implementation of existing laws, suggesting changes in policies for better governance in civic related issues and working towards urban renewal. It has a vast citizen base spread over the city and networks with other civic NGOs on specific issues.

4G Cell Towers on Reserved Public Open Spaces

NAGAR has opposed the decision of the State Government and the MCGM to give permission to install 4G antennae towers (TCS/BS) on Reserved Public Open Spaces (RPOS). NAGAR filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on 4G antennae tower (TBS) on Reserved Public Open Spaces with other co-petitioners being OVAL Trust and AGNI. The first hearing was held on July 20, 2015 and NAGAR obtained a stay on any further permission being given to such installations till the matter is heard. NAGAR sought advice from international law firms on installation of 4G cell towers on public open spaces in their jurisdiction. This has been facilitated by the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

MCGM is in the process of moving a new policy disallowing 4G towers on RPOS. We are awaiting the final outcome of their efforts.

Public Open Spaces

NAGAR raised concerns about the new policy on publicopen spaces which has incorporated the Caretakerpolicy in one of its clauses. NAGAR has brought this tothe notice of the Chief Minister of Maharashtra andhence, the policy is being reconsidered.

A Private Members Bill was introduced in the legislature,seeking to amend the law in order to make it amandatory duty for the MCGM to look after all its ownPublic Open Spaces. This would guarantee theallotment of funds for this specific purpose and obviatethe need to hand over the spaces to private players. Itwas accepted by the Legislature and is awaiting aCabinet nod.

Draft Development Plan2014-2034

The Draft Development Plan (2014 – 2034) was proposedby MCGM, to which NAGAR responded with suggestionsand objections. NAGAR used the tools of DigitalMarketing to disseminate and promote our viewpointregarding several issues enumerated in the MCGM’sDraft Development Plan (2014 – 2034), drawing on theexperience and learnings of our programs over the years.We partnered with Tempus Fugit Pvt. Ltd. and relied onvarious social media channels namely Facebook, Twitterand YouTube, to make our impact felt. An open letter,urging right action for the City’s future development,written to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra bydistinguished citizens, among them Trustees of NAGAR,was published in The Hindustan Times on April 21, 2015.

Street Vendors

NAGAR continued its engagement with hawker issues, especially with reference to the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014. NAGAR attended all meetings held by the MCGM & the Urban Development Department, Government of Maharashtra to discuss the Draft Rules proposed for the Street Vendors’ Act and citizens’ suggestions and objections to the same.

Forts of Mumbai

In an effort to further the cause of Heritage preservation in theCity, NAGAR undertook an initiative to rejuvenate the Forts ofMumbai. A survey, conducted by students of architectureunder the supervision of Architect Parul Kumtha, resulted inthe publication of a book titled “Forts of Mumbai – AbandonedTreasures. The book was released by Ms. Valsa Nair-Singh,Secretary, Tourism and Culture, Government of Maharashtraat the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya.During this endeavour, NAGAR worked closely with therelevant government authorities like Mrs. Valsa Nair-Singh; S.K. Patil, Director and Dr. Maya Patil, Deputy Director of theDirectorate of Archaeology and Museums..

Better Policing

NAGAR conducted several orientation sessions on BetterPolicing in schools and colleges. NAGAR realised that theexisting modes of approach to and interaction with thePolice were daunting to the ordinary citizen, thuspreventing an amicable relationship between the Policeand the Public. In an effort to rectify this position, NAGARconducted public meetings in various fora and attemptedto address the concerns and doubts of the citizens.NAGAR also published a pocket size “The Mumbai PoliceHelpline Directory” and demonstrated the functioning ofthe Virtual police station, a programme for publicinformation (prepared by CHRI), at a Press Conference.NAGAR initiated several meetings with police officials ofdifferent ranks and garnered inputs from retired officials, tobetter understand issues that concern the public vis-a-vispolicing.

Meetings and Networking

NAGAR attended meetingsconducted by MoneylifeFoundation on the issue ofSolid Waste Management(SWM) and was part of a coregroup that deliberated on thisissue. Being part of the groupNAGAR met Mr. Ajoy Mehta,the Municipal Commissioner,MCGM to present issuesconcerning SWM and probablesolutions.

Ms. Nayana Kathpalia andMs. Meher Rafaat met Mr.Ramanath Jha to provideNAGAR’s inputs for theRevision of theDevelopment Plan (2014 -2034). Mr. Jha has beenappointed by the StateGovernment to revise thelatest Development Plan.

Internship at NAGAR

The students of the College ofSocial Work, Nirmala Niketan wereplaced with NAGAR for theirinternship. Working in teams of twothey covered two programs – 1.Preservation & Restoration ofWater Bodies and Beaches; 2.Water Conservation.

NAGAR was also assisted by twolaw interns from Jodhpur LawCollege, one worked on the issueof Street Vending and the other oninstallation of 4G cell towers onpublic open spaces. Despite beingfirst year students they made asizable contribution to the subject.

Internship at NAGARWater Bodies

The team working on ‘Preservation & Restoration ofWater Bodies and Beaches’ prepared a case study onstatus of water bodies in P-North Ward, MCGM’s largestward (area-wise). They also prepared a booklet to guidecitizens on what they can do to save, protect & conservewater bodies.

Malwani Talao, near Malwani church,Malad

Bhaujale Talao / Somwar Bazaar Talao, Link Road, Malad West

Karjadevi Talao, Manori,

Internship at NAGARWater Conservation

The team working on ‘Water Conservation’ made 2 sitevisits: 1. The Central Railways – Lokmanya TilakTerminus – where Rainwater Harvesting though initiated,was being done haphazardly; 2. K. J. Somaiya College –who have started a successful Rainwater Harvestingproject, maintained by the college. The team alsoprepared slogans and graphics to spread awareness onwater conservation and the importance of using thisscarce resource judiciously. With support from sponsors,NAGAR hopes to print these as stickers to convey themessage and distribute them at appropriate places suchas educational Institutions and restaurants acrossMumbai.

Appreciation

NAGAR sincerely thanks and places on record

appreciation for cooperation and assistance

provided to NAGAR by the following organisations

and institutions:

Ms. Nina D. Verma;Mr. Mahesh A. Patel;Mr. S. K. Nangia;Mr. Ashok Ravat;Ms. Silloo Markerb) ProEngage for providing volunteers to work on fund raising for NAGARc) College of Social Work, Nirmala Niketan for providing students for their internship with NAGARd) Thomson Reuters for networkinge) Bankers & Auditors

a) Our Donors:Mahindra & Mahindra;Family Trust CowasjiShavaksha DinshawAdenwalla Trust;Mr. Cyrus Guzder;Shri V. V. & Smt. K. V. Mariwala Charity Trust;Mr. Ardeshir B. K. Dubhash;Seth Purshotam Das Thakurdas & DivalibaCharitable Trust;Organisation Verdant Ambience & Land Trust (O.V.A.L. Trust);

FUNDING REQUIREDThe tiny group of change-makers who laid thegroundwork for NAGAR now faces problems that havegrown in scale and complexity. The lack of continuousand long term resources is a major cause of concern.

NAGAR has the passion, experience and knowhowneeded for advocating policy change and urban renewalfor which it was nominated by the Hindustan Times as anAgent of Change in 2015. However, the assets requiredlie with corporations, foundations and trusts, financialinstitutional and individuals who wish the city well. Thesecret of success in building partnerships lies in the word‘Together’. This is the best way to bring about changewhich is why, at NAGAR, help is always welcome.

An 80G exemption is available. Cheques may bedrawn in the name of “NAGAR”

By Cheque / Demand Draft - In the name of “NAGAR”

By wire transfer for:Indian Rupee Remittances:Bank Name: Bank of IndiaBranch Name: Churchgate,MumbaiAccount Number: 001010100061831Account Name: NAGARType of Account: SavingsBranch Code: 0010IFSC: BKID0000010

FCRA Registration no: 083781429Foreign Fund RemittancesBank Name: HDFC BankBranch Name: Mistry Bhavan, MumbaiAccount Number: 50100066553642Account Name: NAGARType of Account: SavingsBranch Code: 0501IFSC: HDFC0000501

Management at NAGAR

BOARD OF TRUSTEES:Anand Akerkar (Chairman) D.M. Sukthankar Dinesh Ahir Gerson da Cunha Kunti Oza Meher Rafaat Nayana Kathpalia Neera Punj

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE:Dinesh Ahir Gerson da Cunha Meher Rafaat Nayana Kathpalia Neera Punj Ashok Ravat Atul Kumar Parul Kumtha

CONTACT DETAILSNAGAR Cecil Court, 3rd Floor, Mahakavi Bhushan Marg, Colaba, Mumbai – 400 001

Tel: 022-2288 2018T/F: 022-2202 1621

E: info@nagar.org.inW: www.nagar.org.inFB: www.facebook.com/nagar.org.inTwitter: twitter.com/NAGAR_Ngo